Statesmen & Symbols Prelude to the Restoration. Order DVD here

Transcription

1 Statesmen & Symbols Prelude to the Restoration Order DVD here

2 Joseph Smith s Masonic Apron

3 George Washington Masonic Apron

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6 There is a similarity of priesthood in Masonry. Bro[ther] Joseph says Masonry was taken from priesthood but has become degenerated, but many things are perfect. (Letter from Heber C. Kimball to Parley P. Pratt, 17 June 1842; quoted in Parry, Temples of the Ancient World: Ritual and Symbolism, p.577) He [Joseph Smith] told me Freemasonry, as at present, was the apostate endowments, as sectarian religion was the apostate religion. (Benjamin F. Johnson, My Life's Review, p. 96)

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9 D&C 3:2 For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round. Alma 7:20... he cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is one eternal round.

10 Joseph came to believe that he had these conversations. alleged revelations Rough Stone Rolling I [Richard Bushman] used language throughout that permits people to see him as a human being struggling to know his own mind, a classic of Mormon History. Richard Bushman discussing Fawn Brodie s No Man Knows My History

11 I was as well acquainted with him, as any man. I do not believe that his father and mother knew him any better than I did. I do not think that a man lives on the earth that knew him any better than I did; and I am bold to say that, Jesus Christ excepted, no better man ever lived or does live upon this earth. I am his witness.

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15 Basilica of St. Vitale, Ravenna, presbytery, left wall, central lunette

16 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

17 Coptic Egyptian textile, with gammadia in the four corners, & eight-pointed star in the center

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21 1. Thanks be to thy name, O Lord God of Israel, who keepest covenant and showest mercy unto thy servants who walk uprightly before thee, with all their hearts E 2. Thou who hast commanded thy servants to build a house to thy name in this place [Kirtland]. 3. And now thou beholdest, O Lord, that thy servants have done according to thy commandment. 4. And now we ask thee, Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of thy bosom, in whose name alone salvation can be administered to the children of men, we ask thee, O Lord, to accept of this house, the workmanship of the hands of us, thy servants, which thou didst command us to build. 5. For thou knowest that we have done this work through great tribulation; and out of our poverty we have given of our substance to build a house to thy name, that the Son of Man might have a place to manifest himself to his people. 6. And as thou hast said in a revelation, given to us, calling us thy friends, saying Call your solemn assembly, as I have commanded you; A B C D C B A

22 Verse 2: Thou who hast commanded thy servants to build a house to thy name in this place [Kirtland]. Verse 4: thou didst command us to build.

23 Verse 3: And now thou beholdest, O Lord, that thy servants have done according to thy commandment. Verse 4: the workmanship of the hands of us, thy servants,

24 Verse 4: And now we ask thee, Holy Father, Verse 4: we ask thee, O Lord

25 Verse 4: name of Jesus Christ, Verse 4: name alone

26 Verse 4: Son of thy bosom

27 Servants on outside, desire to come in Perform labor Ask of God Through merits of Christ Permitted into Presence of God

28 Thou hast commanded servants to build a house Servants have done We ask Thee Holy Father In the name of Jesus Christ Son of Thy Bosom In whose name alone We ask Thee, O Lord Workmanship of the hands of us Thou didst command thy servants to build

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30 Verse 7: teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom Verse 14: all those who shall worship in this house may be taught words of wisdom out of the best books

31 Verse 7: seek learning even by study and also by faith; Verse 14: that they may seek learning even by study, and also by faith, as thou hast said;

32 Verse 8: Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, Verse 15: be organized according to thy laws, and be prepared to obtain every needful thing

33 Verse 8: even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, house of God; Verse 16: that this house may be a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of glory and of God, even thy house;

34 Verse 9: That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord, that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord, that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High Verse 17-19: That all the incomings of thy people, into this house, may be in the name of the Lord; That all their outgoings from this house may be in the name of the Lord; And that all their salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with holy hands, uplifted to the Most High;

35 Verse 10-11: it may be done to thine honor and to thy divine acceptance; And in a manner that we may be found worthy, in thy sight, Verse 20: And that no unclean thing shall be permitted to come into thy house to pollute it;

36 Verse 11: secure a fulfilment of the promises which thou hast made unto us, thy people, Verse 21: restored to the blessings which thou hast ordained to be poured out upon those who shall reverence thee in thy house.

37 There is no higher authority in matters relating to the family organization, and especially when that organization is presided over by one holding the higher Priesthood, than that of the father. The authority is time honored, and among the people of God in all dispensations it has been highly respected and often emphasized by the teachings of the prophets who were inspired of God. The patriarchal order is of divine origin and will continue throughout time and eternity. There is, then, a particular reason why men, women and children should understand this order and this authority in the households of the people of God, and seek to make it what God intended it to be, a qualification and preparation for the highest exaltation of his children. In the home the presiding authority is always vested in the father, and in all home affairs and family matters there is no other authority paramount.

38 As a head of a family, I have a right to know these things; I have a right to know what influences are brought in and around my house, what spirits predominate there, and I have a right to know what a man s religion is. But do you not allow liberty of conscience? Yes. You can worship what you please a donkey or a red dog but you must not bring that worship into my house; I do not believe in your gods, I believe in the God of Israel, in the Holy Ghost, in the spirit of truth and intelligence, and all good principles; and if you want to worship your gods, worship them somewhere else, and if anybody else wants to worship them, they can do so: you can go on to one of those mountains and worship your gods, or if you are living in a house here, you can be a worshipper of Buddha if you please; but I do not want it in my house, and I do not want the spirit that you have the spirit of those gods, visible or invisible; I do not want their teachings, spirit, nor influences. (John Taylor, Divine Government, Etc., Journal of Discourses, vol. 11, pp , January 18, 1865.)

39 ... choose you this day whom ye will serve;... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)

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41 The idea to use the prophet from the Book of Mormon to top the temple came from sculptor Cyrus Dallin, who was not a member of the LDS faith.... It was Dallin who decided to sculpt Moroni because he believed Moroni was a good representation of the restoration of the gospel. (Deseret News, 20 little-known facts about the Mormon Angel Moroni statue, 2013)

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43 The Savior said when these tribulations should take place, it should be committed to a man who should be a witness over the whole world: the keys of knowledge, power and revelations should be revealed to a witness who should hold the testimony to the world. It has always been my province to dig up hidden mysteries- new things for my hearers. Just at the time when some men think that I have no right to the keys of the Priesthood just at that time I have the greatest right.

44 ... All the testimony is that the Lord in the last days would commit the keys of the priesthood to a witness over all people. Has the Gospel of the kingdom commenced in the last days? And will God take it from the man until He takes him Himself? I have read it precisely as the words flowed from the lips of Jesus Christ. John the Revelator saw an angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth.

45 The Scripture is ready to be fulfilled when great wars, famines, pestilence, great distress, judgments, &c., are ready to be poured out on the inhabitants of the earth. John saw the angel having the holy Priesthood, who should preach the everlasting Gospel to the nations. God had an angel a special messenger ordained and prepared for that purpose in the last days. Woe, woe be to that man or set of men who life up their hands against God and His witness in these last days: for they shall deceive almost the very chosen ones. (May 2, 1844.) D.H.C. 6:

46 "Would to God, brethren, I could tell you WHO I am! Would to God I could tell you WHAT I know! But you would call it blasphemy and want to take my life! (Life of Heber C. Kimball, p.333)

47 Law of Moses required priests to sacrifice 2 lambs every day Morning sacrifice Even sacrifice (Num 28:3-8) Access research here

48 Because the Hebrew day begins about sunset, the morning sacrifice was near the meridian of the 24-hour Hebrew day, John P. Pratt Christ was sacrificed in the meridian of time

49 The afternoon sacrifice was near the end of the day. The Prophet Joseph Smith, who came in the latter days, in the evening of time, did more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering.... the other lamb shalt thou offer at even; (Numbers 28:3)

50 He has commenced his great work his strange work and his wonder, and he will roll it forth with rapidity and will consummate his plans in the day in which he has set his hands to gather his people, and that is this day, the evening of time the closing moments of the last hour of the seventh day as it were. We are living in that eventful time, and the Lord has set his hand to gather his people. (Joseph F. Smith, "No Time to Do Wrong, Etc.", Journal of Discourses, vol. 14, pp , September 3, 1871.)

51 I am going like a lamb to the slaughter;

52 Two messiahs Primary = Messiah Ben (Son) David Secondary = Messiah Ben (Son) Joseph Mission serve as redeemers salvation to the Jewish people and to the whole world. MBD will protect the MBJ until his work is completed Messiah means anointed one

53 Hebrews referred to the period of time when MBJ will be born, leading up to the arrival of MBD, as the Messianic Age, Increase in miracles, natural disasters, calamities, great evil Family order destroyed According to Silverman, calamities such as earthquakes and plagues will occur around the time of the arrival of MBJ one of the largest earthquakes in recorded history New Madrid 5 weeks later another earthquake just as large 2 weeks later ninth largest earthquake in U.S. history. 3 weeks after New Madrid -> Caracus Venezuela of equal proportion 20,000 deaths 3 weeks later one of history s largest volcanic eruptions exploded from Mount Tambora in Indonesia

54 According to the Samaritans, MBJ would be a prophet who will restore. MBJ will restore everywhere the true Law to its former validity. The Talmudic writings, claim that the [MBD] will reveal himself to the [MBJ]. It was generally supposed, stated Julius Greenstone, that the Messiah would make his appearance in the month of Nisan or Tishri. First Vision & Kirtland Temple appearance of Christ occurred in Nisan

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57 ... for behold, only this once will I prune my vineyard. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few. And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; (Jacob 5:69-71)

58 I walked onward, weighed down as it were unto death. When I could endure it no longer, I cried out aloud, saying, Oh Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray Thee, show me what these things mean, and what I shall say to Thy people? Suddenly the Spirit of God came upon me, and filled my heart with joy and gladness indescribable; and while the spirit of revelation glowed in my bosom with as visible a warmth and gladness as if it were fire, the Spirit said unto me, Lift up your head and rejoice. For behold, it is well with my servants Joseph and Hyrum. My servant Joseph still holds the keys of my kingdom in this dispensation, and he shall stand in due time on the earth, in the flesh, and fulfill that to which he is appointed. (Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography pg. 333)

59 Those who are your friends are my friends, and I promise you when I come again, I will lead you forth, so that where I am you shall be with me. (Autobiography of Wandle Mace) Boys he always called us his boys don t be sad, don t be cast down, I will come back again. After a little hesitation he added, as soon as I can. That expression, as soon as I can, sank deep into my heart and confirmed my fears. I never expected to see him again alive. The sad expression upon his face as he looked upon us, his boys, for the last time I shall never forget. I felt in my inmost soul that he was going to be butchered, and we should see him no more alive. (Autobiography of Wandle Mace)

60 Joseph Smith Junior will again be on this earth dictating plans... And he will never cease his operations, under the directions of the Son of God, until the last ones of the children of men are saved that can be, from Adam till now. There is an almighty work to perform in the spirit world. Joseph has not yet got through there. When he finishes his mission in the spirit world, he will be resurrected, but he has not yet done there.... When his spirit again quickens his body, he will ascend to heaven, present his resurrected body to the Father and the Son, receive his commission as a resurrected being, and visit his brethren on this earth as did Jesus after his resurrection.

61 I will refer you to a discourse I delivered here last season upon the subject of the resurrection and the Millennium.... Joseph, Hyrum, Father Smith and many others will be there to dictate and preside. Joseph will stand at the head of this dispensation and hold the keys of it, for they are not taken from him; they never were in time; they never will be in eternity. I shall be there if I live or if I die. I said to Brother Joseph, the spring before he was killed, You are laying out work for twenty years. He replied, You have as yet scarcely begun to work; but I will set you enough to last you during your lives, for I am going to rest. All I can do or ask now is to do the work, so that it will be right and acceptable to him when he comes here again.

62 I am pretty sure of one thing: we shall go to Jackson County, Missouri; that is, those who do right and honor their callings, doing what they have been told to do. You will be blessed, and you will see the day when Presidents [Brigham] Young, [Heber C.] Kimball, and [Daniel] Wells, and the Twelve Apostles will be in Jackson County, Missouri, laying out your inheritances. In the flesh? Of course. We should look well without being in the flesh! We shall be there in the flesh, and all our enemies cannot prevent it. Brother Wells, you may write that. You will be there, and Willard [Richards] will be there, and also Jedediah [Grant], and Joseph and Hyrum Smith, and David [W. Patten], and Parley [P. Pratt]; and the day will be when I will see those men in the general assembly of the Church of the First Born, in the great council of God in Jerusalem too. Will we want you to be along. I heard Joseph say twice that Brother Brigham and I should be in that council in Jerusalem, when there should be a uniting of the two divisions of God s government.

63 After my body is laid in the grave, and after the Prophet Joseph has received his resurrected body, he probably will not suffer my body to remain long in the ground, but will be apt to say, Come and let us go and help Brother Heber to again take his body. Do you suppose that if Brother Brigham were to die tomorrow, and if Joseph is resurrected, which he will be so soon as his mission is filled in the spirit world, that Joseph will permit Brother Brigham s body to remain any longer in the grave than may be requisite? No, for he then will have need of the assistance of his faithful resurrected brethren, as he now has of faithful spirits.

64 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for SEASONS, and for days, and years: (Genesis 1:14) moed: appointed time, place, or meeting

65 Signal, flag, beacon, omen, evidence, sign, token א ות

66 Click here to watch video The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, (D&C 20:1)

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